I helped set up tables and chairs in the Rec Plex which was the location for most of the organized activities which included several meals, vendor display areas, dancing, ice cream social, chili cookoff, camping related seminars, etc. The Rec Plex also housed the 17th Street Grill who catered our meals. When the rally started, I headed up the group of guys who guided incoming campers to their campsites, being careful to arrange each 4-camper group with their doors facing each other so that when the picnic tables were brought in and placed between them, the tables could be shared.
Marsha was the rally treasurer. You would think that the treasurer's duties would be limited to handling the incoming rally fees and writing checks to pay the various rally expenses, but nooooooo! Marsha got involved in everything from running the door prize activities to making sure everyone got the T-shirts they ordered to going shopping in Sparta for last minute supplies.
The weather cooperated for the first couple of days we were there, but when the rally officially got under way, the rain gods decided to help cool things off. I kind of lost track, but, generally, it rained every morning and evening during the rally. Not only did it rain, but the wind and lightning were pretty fierce. One morning we emerged from our campers to find that the porta-potties had been blown over. I didn't hear any stories about anyone being in them when it happened.
There were 106 camping units with 200 people attending. There's not much to do in the area surrounding Sparta, IL unless you want to make the 60 mile drive to St. Louis. This turned out to be a good thing as most people stuck around the rally grounds and participated in the activities. We even had a few folks who shot trap and participated in a little hand gun action at the cowboy shooting range.
So, I think a good time was had by all. I think all of us workers were glad it was over with on Saturday morning, even if the rain gods doused us with one final rain storm.
If you're ever near Sparta, IL., take a drive through the HUGE World Shooting and Recreational Complex. It contains over 1,000 campsites, I don't know how many trap and skeet ranges, cowboy shooting ranges, sporting clay ranges, etc., etc. The night before we arrived, there was a Willie Nelson concert there with 11,000 spectators!
Enjoy the pictures!
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